A patient with hypercapnic respiratory failure has a respiratory rate of 8 and an SpO₂ of 89%. The patient is increasingly lethargic. Which collaborative intervention will the nurse anticipate?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient's lethargy, low respiratory rate, and SpO₂ indicate the need for mechanical ventilation with ventilator-controlled respiratory rate. Administration of high flow oxygen will not be helpful because the patient's respiratory rate is so low. Insertion of a mini-tracheostomy will facilitate removal of secretions, but it will not improve the patient's respiratory rate or oxygenation. BiPAP requires that the patient initiate an adequate respiratory rate to allow adequate gas exchange.

A Patient with Hypercapnic Respiratory Failure Has a Respiratory Rate